Today is “Yum-e-Tarvia” (Day of Tarvia). The Manasik of 1427th Hajj of Islamic History have started. More than 2500,000 muslims from all over the world, are arriving today in Mina camps before Zuhur prayer. Here in Mina they will offer five prayers; Zuhur, Asar, Myghrib, Isha and Fajar prayers. Among 1400,000 foreign Hajis (also called Hujjaj), there are more than 143,000 are Pakistani Hajis. The 1600 employees (311 Hajj coordinators, 560 local khuddam) have been deployed in Pakistan Hajj Mission Makkah Mukarma for assistance, guidance and welfare of Pakistani Hajis. Moreover, Pakistan Hajj medical mission comprising of 600 medical staff is also performing its duties. Saudi Home Minister and Chairman Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Muhammad Bin Naif stated that; in order to ensure security and peace in Makkah Mukarma and Mashair Muqadsa, 70,000 security troops have been deployed. The department of public security of Saudi Arabia will conduct surveillance of Mashair Muqadsa by 100 aerial flights daily. Governor Makkah Mukarma Prince Mishal Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has visited several times Mashair Muqadsa and expressed his satisfaction on Hajj arrangements.

One of the world’s largest annual gatherings and a pillar of the Islamic faith, this year’s Haj come with authorities striving to protect pilgrims from two deadly viruses, Ebola and the MERS coronavirus.

Hajj Day # 2: 09 ZH 1435 H (03 Oct 2014 – Friday):

Today is “Yum-e-Arfa” (Day of Arfa), Hajis today traveled to Arafat (by train or by bus) to perform the greatest member of Hajj i.e. “Waqoof Arfa” (Stay in plain of Arfat). Jabal Rehmat (Mountain of Mercy) is also located in plain of Arafat.

Fortunately, it is Friday today, therefore two Holy Days (Friday and Arfa) gathered today, therefore, this Hajj is called “Hajj-e-Akbar” (Great Hajj). More than 2500,000 muslims thus honored the Hajj-e-Akbar today.

After hearing Khutba, Muslims offered Salat of Zuhur and Asar simultaneously in plain of Arafat. In the time between Asar and Maghrib prayer, Hajis performed “Waqof-e-Arfa” to ask prayers to Allah, begged for mercy and forgiveness of their sins. Atmosphere echoed by voices of “Labbaik Allah humma Labbaik”.

At sunset, Hajis left plain of Arafat without offering Maghrib paryer. They then moved towards Muzdalifa for night stay and worship there. After reaching Muzdalifa, Hajis offered Salat of Maghrib and Isha in one session, then they picked pebbles and performed night stay, worshipped & prayed below open sky in Muzdalifa.

Cover of Khana Kaba was changed today. Today after Fajar prayer, Khana Kaba was bathed with Arq-e-Gulab and Zam Zam water, after which cover was changed. Cover of Kaba was prepared with cost of 200,00,000 Saudi Rials. It was made with 670 kg pure silk, 150 kg pure gold and silver.

Hajj Day # 3: 10 ZH 1435 H (04 Oct 2014 – Saturday):

Today is “Yum-e-Nahar” (Day of Sacrifice). It is Eid ul Azha for Muslims in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.

Today Hajis passed a busy day. After Fajar prayer, they performed “Waqoof-e-Muzdalifa” (Stay at Muzdalifa for prayer and worship) and then returned to Mina to place back their luggage in Mina camp. Then they went to Jamrat to stone big Satan with 7 pebbles (they may also go directly from Muzdalifa to Jamrat depending on location of their Mina camp), sacrificed animals as thanks in Hajj (Sacrifice may be offered by Islamic development bank, or self-arrangements, or committees already formed by fellow Hajis in Mina camps), and then shaved their head to open Ihram dress and relief from restrictions of Ihram.

Now they may go to Makkah to perform Twaf Ziarat (though it may also be performed following day), they circled Kaba seven times, offered two nwafil at Maqam-e-Ibrahim, they performed Sae of Safa Marwa in memory of Bibi Hajira and then returned to their Mina camps.

Hajis of Cuba honored the Hajj for the first time this year. Five persons offered Hajj as royal guest of Khadam-ul-Harmain Sharefain King Abdullah. Director Abdullah Almudlah in Saudi Islamic Ministry stated that; there was no mosque in Cuba, and their ministry deployed for the first time Imam in Cuba to offer prayer of Taraveh there, for this purpose, a marriage hall was rented to offer Taraveh Salat there.

Hajj Day # 4: 11 ZH 1435 H (05 Oct 2014 – Sunday):

Today is “ 2nd Yum-e-Rami” (2nd Day of Rami). Today Hajis went to Jamrat to stone all three satans (devils) in Mina. Those Hajis who couldn’t perform Twaf-e-Ziarat yesterday, they went to Makkah to perform Twaf-e-Ziarat. After Twaf-e-Ziarat, they then returned to Mina to pass night there.

Today in Mina, 12 Pakistani Hajis slipped from mountain in Mina and injured. Spokesman of Saudi Civil Defense, Colonel Abdullah Al Arabi, stated that 3 of them were released at the spot by quick medical first aid, and 9 Hajis were admitted into Hospital, where they are now in satisfactory condition. These 12 Pakistani Hajis injured by stoning from their behind. Saudi department of civil defense has advised Hajis to refrain from coming closer to wall during Rami, and also refrain from any effort to climb wall.

Hajj Day # 5: 12 ZH 1435 H (06 Oct 2014 – Monday):

Today is “3rd Yum-e-Rami” (3rd Day of Rami). Today Hajis again went to Jamrat to perform symbolic stoning of three satans (devils) in Mina. Then all Manasik Hajj (except Twaf-e-Wida, to be performed just before leaving Makkah) completed and return of Hajis to Makkah in their residences and hotels started today.

Note 1: Those Hajis who want to earn additional (optional) blessing, they maintained their stay in Mina today and passed night there. They will perform Rami next day in Mina before returning to their residences / hotels in Makkah.

Note 2: But if any Haji today couldn’t leave Mina till sunset, then he will have to pass full night in Mina camp and will perform Rami (stoning of three satans in Jamrat) next day, after which they may return to Makkah.

Note 3: Those Hajis who couldn’t perform Twaf-e-Ziarat even yesterday, today was their last chance to go to Makkah and perform Twaf-e-Ziarat around Kaba. Failing to do so would cancel Hajj.

Saudi Arabia’s acting health minister says this year’s hajj has been free of Ebola and other contagious diseases because of measures taken by the kingdom to protect more than 2 million pilgrims who participated in the Hajj 2014.

Hajj Additional Optional Day: 13 ZH 1435 H (07 Oct 2014 – Tuesday):

Hajj 2014 had completed yesterday, and many Hajis returned to Makkah / their residences. However, today is optional and last day of Hajj Rami (stoning of three pillars representing satans in Jamrat, Mina). It is for those Hajis who stayed in Mina yesterday till sunset.

Today all remaining Hajis, after Rami, left Mina and Manasik Hajj of all Hajis completed today.

Today was also 3rd last day of Eid al-Adha for Muslims all over the world. The end of the Hajj is marked by the three-day celebration of Eid al-Adha, an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. The days of Eid are days reserved for remembrance, eating and drinking.

The death toll of Egyptian hajj pilgrims to Mecca has risen to 44, an interior ministry official told state news agency MENA on Tuesday.